Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-21

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In the future all cars, buses and trucks will be driverless. The only people travelling inside these vehicles will be passengers.

Do you think the advantages of driverless vehicles outweigh the disadvantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Driverless vehicles are expected to become common in the future, meaning that cars, buses, and trucks will operate without human drivers. While this development may create several challenges, I believe that the advantages of autonomous vehicles outweigh the disadvantages.

The main benefit of driverless vehicles is improved road safety. Human error, such as speeding, distraction, or driving under the influence of alcohol, is responsible for the majority of road accidents. Self-driving vehicles can continuously monitor the road, obey traffic rules, and react more quickly than humans, which could significantly reduce the number of crashes. Another advantage is greater convenience. Passengers would be free to work, study, read, or relax during their journeys instead of concentrating on driving. In addition, elderly and disabled people who cannot drive themselves would enjoy greater independence and mobility.

On the other hand, there are some drawbacks. One major concern is that millions of professional drivers, including taxi, bus, and truck drivers, could lose their jobs as automation becomes more widespread. Furthermore, driverless vehicles rely heavily on software and internet connectivity, making them vulnerable to technical failures or cyberattacks. However, these problems can be reduced through government regulations, regular software updates, cybersecurity measures, and programs that help workers develop new skills.

In conclusion, although autonomous vehicles may lead to job losses and technological risks, I believe their ability to improve road safety, increase convenience, and provide better mobility for many people makes them a more beneficial development overall.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both advantages, such as improved road safety and greater convenience, and disadvantages, including job losses and technical risks. A clear position is maintained throughout the essay, with the writer ultimately concluding that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Ideas are generally well supported with logical explanations regarding human error and software vulnerabilities. However, there is a penalty applied because the word count is 242 words, falling slightly short of the mandatory 250-word minimum requirement. Despite this minor length shortfall, the core task is handled competently, with fully developed arguments that directly respond to the prompt's question.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a clear and logical organisation from the introductory paragraph through the body paragraphs to the conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately and effectively, with each body paragraph focusing on a distinct theme: advantages in the second paragraph, disadvantages and solutions in the third. Cohesive devices such as 'While this development', 'Another advantage', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore' are used accurately to guide the reader through the text and link ideas smoothly. Referencing is clear throughout, and the overall arrangement ensures a coherent progression of thought from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student displays an adequate and appropriate range of vocabulary for the task. Less common lexical items and collocations are attempted successfully, such as 'autonomous vehicles', 'under the influence of alcohol', 'cyberattacks', and 'government regulations'. Word choice is generally precise, and spelling is accurate throughout the response. While the vocabulary is not exceptionally sophisticated or varied enough to reach Band 8, it provides sufficient flexibility to convey complex ideas clearly and naturally without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay exhibits a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, showcasing control over grammatical forms. Examples of complex structures include 'While this development may create several challenges, I believe that...' and 'elderly and disabled people who cannot drive themselves would enjoy greater independence'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly. Minor errors are virtually absent, and the grammatical control is strong enough to allow for fluent reading, demonstrating a solid command of sentence formation and grammar rules.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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